Gary Numan Digest Thu, 27 Jan 2000 Volume 2 : Issue 7
Today's Topics:
A-ha ???
Caveat Emptor
Down in the Toilet
faces at random
Free NuVersion CD
GN mention in Rolling Stone #833
Marti Caine/Dramatris/NAGNFC complaints
numan covers...
Practice what you preach
Snarlfest
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Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 09:50:59 -0000
From: thoutby@fusiongroup.co.uk (Tim Houtby)
Subject: A-ha ???
To: "'Numan Digest'"
Jim Benson - A-ha..A-ha..?...WHAT??....WHAAAT !!!???
When on earth did Gary Numan "try to be A-ha" ???? Either you are having
some kind of in-joke, or you need to seek help.
And just for the record......Take a look at the similarities between the
Complex video & the A-ha animated video(s?). Then check the year of release
of each. And do you really think Numan is able to, or would even wish to,
sing as high as Morten "nuts in a vice" Harket ???
Get out more.
Tim.
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Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 22:35:21 -0800
From: Derek Langsford
Subject: Caveat Emptor
To: digest@garynumanfan.nu
As Matthew Roberts and Gary Perkins have stated, it really does pay to be
sure of what you are getting before plonking down the dosh. And the
proliferation of second rate rehash compilations of Gary's Numa catalogue
has been a proverbial minefield for the less informed. I hope that some
subscribers have been able to save some money by finding out the truth in
the Digest before departing with hard earned cash.
I think the most egregious example was the "Blackheart" compilation which
had a track named "Blackheart." This was a couple minute instrumental
piece from "Human" CD and certainly not worth giving Receiver/Rialto/Trojan
some of your hard earned money.
We should wait for the release of NUMAN XVII (that's not the title, but
signifying his 17th regular studio album release). There is not much left
to come out that has only seen vinyl before. Then again, the extended and
live albums could stand remastering, there's the Isolate and Exile tour
concerts sitting on shelves somewhere, and all his live shows could be
released on DVD. Still plenty of releases to drain our pockets.
Does anyone really think that the new album will be here this spring?
Derek
San Diego, California
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 20:14:29 +0000 (GMT)
From: =?iso-8859-1?q?Gary=20Perkins?=
Subject: Down in the Toilet
To: Gary Numan Digest
Numan is well known for being accessible to fans.=20
What with his fan club days out, appearances at
conventions and endless signing sessions after shows.=20
Having said that, I have never made any attempt to
meet the man. Partly because I think that a bit of
distance between fan and star helps to keep the
interest alive, but mainly because even though I am in
my mid 30s, pop/rock stars still freak me out.
One small example is that I walked into the toilet at
the Birmingham Alex while attending a show on the
Metal Rhythm tour only to find Rrussell Bell in there.
I know it isn=92t an ideal place to meet, but even so,
merely mumbling =91oops=92 and walking straight back out
was a bit feeble. I should add, he was not up to any
rock star high jinx at the time to cause this
response. Merely drying his hands under a hot air
dryer.
It set me wondering if anyone else has any
embarrassing or amusing tales to tell about meeting
with Numan, or one of his entourage over the years.
I remember reading a fantastic example in the digest a
while back where a poor guy approached Numan for an
autograph with the words =91Sorry to disturb you=92. To
which Numan replied tersely =91No you=92re not=92. I would
have shrivelled like a salted snail at such a
response.
Surely I can=92t be the only sad loser on the digest.=20
Can I?
Gary P
Proud member of Hermits Like Us
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Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 05:34:47 -0600
From: Valerie Iglar-Mobley
Subject: faces at random
To: The Gary Digest
Dear numanoids,
Someone tipped me to an online music ordering web site which specializes
in obscure imports from across the globe. It's at:
http://www.cdeurope.com
Does anyone know what this item by Gary is? It can't be 'New Dreams For
Old' since that one was just released last year. Does anyone have this,
or know what the track listing is? Hey, maybe this is that definitive
singles collection from this period that I've been yapping about. (Too
bad it was only released in "Nl"-- Netherlands?)
> The Best Of 1984-1992
(Catalog # H350879 $10.95 Label: emporio Release Date: 10/13/96
Import From: Nl Genre: rock Rec Number: EMPRCD666)
Or, hey, what about this? It's listed as a "2 item" which I'm guessing
means two discs. Did BB give up on trying to find the LO '80 masters
and put out a two-disc set of the vinyl release? Steve Webbon, could
you fill us in on this one?
> Living Ornaments 1979/80
(Catalog #B348269 $25.95 Label: beggars banquet Release Date: 1/20/00
Import From: Eec Genre: rock Rec Number: 032 215523)
[By the way, if anyone wants to check this site out, be sure to do what
they call a 'power search' for any items CONTAINING "numan" in the
artist line (since artist names sometimes get flipped last/first)...
I kid you not, 235 entries. Enjoy a good, long browse.]
with love,
Ben Iglar-Mobley
http://home.earthlink.net/~iglarmobley
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Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2000 16:41:08 -0000
From: "artemis"
Subject: Free NuVersion CD
To: "Gary Numan"
I plan to compile a CDR of 'NuVersion' material. This would include TV
appearances etc. where Gary has played live or mimed to different versions,
where the recording is as close to the original source to ensure the best
possible quality. An example would be the Leo Sayer tracks that Andy B
recently made available and the VH1 tracks from Reps room.
I'm looking for suggestions for tracks and donations from your collections.
Those who contribute the best quality tracks that are used will receive a
copy of the CD. BTW Numan says that he doesn't have copyright of this stuff
so it is of minority interest.
Tracks I've found are -
AFE/DITP - OGWT
On Broadway/TINL - Leo Sayer
Noise Noise/Dark/Friends - VH1
Friends - Tom Binns Munchies
Tracks to find are -
Cars/PTTA - USA Saturday Night Live
AFE/Cars/Scar - In Bed with MeDinner
Noise Noise/Dark/Friends - VH1
Interested? Any suggestions?
email me!
ARTEMIS
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 12:28:19 -0600
From: "Craig Stenseth"
Subject: GN mention in Rolling Stone #833
To:
Hi all,
I hadn't seen anyone else post this, Gary got a brief mention in
Rolling Stone magazine, issue 833, pg. 19 in Random Notes (Melissa Etheridge
on the cover).
"It was a cross-generational artists' conference after David Bowie's club
gig
at London's Astoria. Norman 'Fatboy Slim' Cook chatted with Bowie as Bob
Geldof and Pete Townshend made the rounds, Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall sat
with friends, members of the Cure and Placebo lurked, and Gary Numan sipped
alongside actor Joesph Fiennes.
back to lurking! Craig in
Naperville, Illinois
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 11:49:27 -0000
From: "Phil Marsh"
Subject: Marti Caine/Dramatris/NAGNFC complaints
To: digest@garynumanfan.nu
Playing catch up from last Thursday..
Gary P asked about Gary writing a song for Marti Caine...
As best I remember, he DID indeed mention the fact that "I've even
tried writing a song for Marti Caine" - I THINK he actually sent it to
her and didn't hear anything back, so decided to record it himself,
but I can't swear to that. I never read what track that might have
been, but I always assumed it was "1930s Rust" which appeared
on his next album, and had that "MOR show tune" vibe.
> From: SteelHanky@aol.com
> Subject: Dramatis
> 1. Does the LP have two different tracklists?
I seem to remember Jeff Tolva telling me once that the North
American issue didn't have Human Sacrifice on it; I know the UK
issue did, because I recorded it to my new portable Minidisc just
last week (every home should have one).
> 2. If so, is one variation significantly harder to find than the other?
That, I don't know...
Someone wrote criticising Jim Napier a couple of issues back. I've
been on the Digest a long time, and read all the issues available
from before I joined also. The people concerned may no longer be
subscribing here, but I remember in the early issues reading a few
comments in passing about the NAGNFC - and they were of the
"presumably its now defunct, I sent money and got nothing in
return and eventually gave up" variety.
Jim wasn't around apparently to answer those comments at the
time, and only emerged on the Digest relatively recently. Although
he has answered a recent criticism this time around:-
> I really did
> send two videos to you. Who knows what happened? All I can do is offer
> apology in either cash, or the video (to another address this time please!).
I can't help but wonder why this wasn't offered at the time...instead
of "well, sorry I guess some guy at the post office wanted it more".
I guess its the same principle behind consumer affairs TV shows -
complain in person, get nowhere; complain in front of the general
public and the guilty party is effusive in their apology.
Maybe this is just an unfortunate one-off. If Jim's service really was
that bad, I guess he'd have been hounded and ridiculed by now.
Let's hope that doesn't happen.
One last plea to those in the UK using Outlook Express pre
installed with their free ISP - for goodness' sake, follow the Digest
guidelines and stop sending mail as rich text! Doing it once as a
one off mistake is excusable; repeatedly doing it is just bad bloody
manners.
Phil
(phil.marsh@ndirect.co.uk)
http://www.ndirect.co.uk/~phil.marsh
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 20:51:57 -0000
From: "brendan colton"
Subject: numan covers...
To:
Imagine the scenario....
Gary has decided to do a covers album.
Now readers, what weird and wacky combinations can you devise?
I like the concept of Gary doing Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" to the
rhythm of Dominion Day!
(not sure about Gary replicating the video, though...a role for Gemma,
perhaps?? ;))
Love Asylum5
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Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 11:34:17 -0600
From: David Carlson
Subject: Practice what you preach
To:
First Jim Benson, AICP writes:
>I frequently find myself giving Rock History 101 to people and informing
>them that the Bee Gees, Gary Numan, Thomas Dolby, Neil Diamond et al not
>only had vast repertoires of varied and interesting music, but that they
>were also very much responsible for the music that those people claim to
>like or listen to today. I truly believe that major hits can often be a
>horrible curse for an artist.
Then, he argues against himself with:
>I am glad that Gary seems to be finding a voice and a path that feels more
>natural to him. I never felt that those years when he was trying to be
A-Ha
>served him very well. I mean, look at where A-Ha is now. I never find
>myself defending their musical integrity. :)
Jim, I believe that you are falling victim to the same crime that you spoke
out against. You are judging a group based solely on their one big hit and
failing to consider that they may have had a wonderful and interesting
career afterwards, it's just that they were no longer in the mainstream and
a bit more out of the public eye -- exactly what we are so constantly
irritated by when it comes to Numan, everybody thinks "Oh, the 'Cars' guy".
Since I am a Numan fan and know firsthand how frustrating it is to have
someone base their entire evaluation of an artist or group on one hit song,
I make a conscious effort to try not to do it to others (however tempting it
may be).
A-ha have produced several BRILLIANT albums (Scoundrel Days, Stay On These
Roads, East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon, and Memorial Beach...the last two
are quite dark and nothing like you would expect from the "Take On Me"
guys). In fact, only their first album, Hunting High and Low, was a bit
spotty and it still produced several fantastic tracks (the title song, not
to mention the ubiquitous "Take On Me"). The lead singer, Morten Harket,
produced three excellent albums as a solo artist (two of which were in
Norwegian), but his English speaking Wild Seed album is absolutely amazing.
Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, the main songwriter for a-ha (he's the skinny one), has
produced three albums with his own group Savoy. The thirs member, Mags, has
become a respected artist (painting that is) and soundtrack composer. And
although I never equate poularity with quality, they have managed to sell 26
million albums.
Also, a-ha has "reformed" (although they never technically broke up) and
signed a three album deal with Warner. The new album, Minor Earth, Major
Sky, is due out in April.
Of course, the possibility exists that you are aware of a-ha's entire
history and just don't like them -- if that is the case, then my apologies
and ignore everything that I am saying. :-)
Dave
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Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 07:46:40 -0700
From: "Joey Lindstrom"
Subject: Snarlfest
To: "Gary Numan"
On Sun, 23 Jan 2000 01:00:06 MST, Ben Mobley wrote:
>> Anyway, wouldn't it be nice
>> ...if we tried to avoid the rows and flame wars that became
>> common place last year...
>
>Sorry, Phil, it sounds like the moderators themselves disagree. One of
>them, anyway. Let the snarling commence.
Actually, I'm not a moderator - I just run the machine that produces
this thing. Derek and Dave handle the moderation (mostly Derek). As
for snarling... I appreciate the fact that you did take this to email,
and that we were having a nice little chat via email... discovering
that we agree on more issues than we disagree on and possibly coming to
some sort of agreement on this. What I then fail to understand is your
finding it necessary to come back here to the public forum to get one
more slam in on me. Just who's doin' the snarling here? Hey, I've
been guilty of getting into the nastiness from time to time, but it
sure seems like you're the one that's picking this fight. Oh, but I
forgot... since I'm both conservative and Christian, that makes me evil
and thus it's ok to do things like that to me...
Jim Benson said:
"I frequently find myself giving Rock History 101 to people and
informing
them that the Bee Gees, Gary Numan, Thomas Dolby, Neil Diamond et al
not
only had vast repertoires of varied and interesting music, but that
they
were also very much responsible for the music that those people claim
to
like or listen to today. I truly believe that major hits can often be
a
horrible curse for an artist."
Gary is on record as agreeing with you. Cars has been both a blessing
and a curse for him, and in one interview he cited several other bands
in similar situations... "oh yeah, they're the guys that recorded that
song (insert song name here)" and nobody remembers anything else they
did. I'm not sure I entirely agree, but there's much to be said for
this argument.
Rick in DC said:
'Proud Member of B.L.U. and the "I'm home today cuz it's snowing like
MAD" club'
Geez, and I thought we had it rough here in Calgary with temperatures
down around -20C lately... but I look on the news and see what you're
goin' through, and it seems positively balmy here... :-) Don't ask
Martin Purvis for his opinion, he's been bitching about the heat wave
in Australia... :-)
/ From the messy desktop of Joey Lindstrom
/ Visit The NuServer! http://www.GaryNumanFan.NU
/ Visit The Webb! http://webb.GaryNumanFan.NU
/
/ I had to stop driving my car for a while... the tires got dizzy.
/ --Steven Wright
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End of Gary Numan Digest
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